Compensatory growth is a type of regenerative growth that can take place a number of human organs after the organs are either damaged, removed, or cease to function. The growth can be a result of increased cell size (hypertrophy) or an increase in cell division (hyperplasia). For instance, if one kidney is removed, the other kidney grows at a faster rate with increased cell division. Eventually, the remaining kidney can grow until its mass approaches the combined mass of two kidneys. Compensatory growth has also been characterized in the liver and lungs.

A large number of growth factors and hormones are involved with compensatory growth, but the exact mechanism is not fully understood and varies between different organs. Nevertheless, angiogenic growth factors which control the growth of blood vessels are particularly important because blood flow significantly determines the maximum growth of an organ.

Compensatory growth may also refer to the accelerated growth following a period of slowed growth, particularly as a result of nutrient deprivation.

[edit] See also

• Hyperplasia
• Hypertrophy
• Cellular adaptation

[edit] References

• Widmaier E. P., Raff H., and Strang K. T. (2006). Vander's Human Physiology: The Mechanisms Of Body Function. 10th edition. Boston, Mass: McGraw-Hill Companies. ISBN 978-0072827415.
• http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/129769/compensatory-growth